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Health
Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases
Under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance, there are 48 statutory notifiable infectious diseases in Hong Kong. In 2014, about 16,000 cases were reported, of which about 7,800 and 5,100 were diagnosed as chickenpox and tuberculosis respectively.
In December 2013, Hong Kong confirmed its first human case of avian influenza A(H7N9). Up to December 2014, Hong Kong confirmed a total of 11 human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9), which upon investigation were all considered to be sporadic imported cases. The government activated the 'Serious Response Level' under the Preparedness Plan for Influenza Pandemic from 2 December 2013 to 12 June 2014 and on 27 December 2014 implemented a comprehensive range of response measures.
The CHP continually reviews and updates its strategies for coping with major outbreaks of infectious diseases (including Ebola virus disease), ensuring that both the government and the community are prepared to deal with them. A plan for mobilising volunteers in the event of an outbreak is also in place. The CHP organises drills from time to time to test Hong Kong's preparedness.
Vaccination Programmes
Children in Hong Kong are protected against communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis B, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox and pneumococcus under a 'Childhood Immunisation Programme!
The 'Government Vaccination Programme; provides eligible persons in target groups with free seasonal influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations each year at public hospitals and clinics. In addition, under two 'Vaccination Subsidy Schemes, children aged between six months and less. than six years and elderly people aged 65 or above can receive subsidised seasonal influenza vaccinations at private clinics. A subsidised pneumococcal vaccination at private clinics is also available for elderly people who have not previously received one. Over 1,600 private doctors participate in the 'Vaccination Subsidy Schemes!
Non-communicable Diseases
The biggest killers in Hong Kong are cancer, heart and cerebrovascular diseases, which together accounted for about 51 per cent of all registered deaths in 2014. Elderly people are the major victims of these chronic non-communicable diseases.
A Cancer Co-ordinating Committee chaired by the Secretary for Food and Health makes recommendations for the prevention and control of cancer, which claimed more than 13,700 lives in Hong Kong in 2014. In 2014, about 106,000 women registered under the DH's cervical screening programme for women aged between 25 and 64 underwent cervical screening.
Health Regulatory Activities
Healthcare Professionals
As at end-2014, 13,417 doctors, 2,343 dentists, 9,655 Chinese medicine practitioners (CMPs) (including both listed and registered CMPs), 48,047 nurses (including both registered and
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